Apparatus for handling radioactive



NOV. 28, 1950 w,l Q SMITH ETAL 2,531,953

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING RADIOACTIVE SOLUTIONS Filed Sept. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 rZ-L'TEJ. lll M l Hull l INVENTOR.

Nov. 28, 1950 w. Q. SMITH ETAL 2,531,953

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING RADIOACTIVE SOLUTIONS Filed sept. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT oFF 2,531,953 ICE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING RADIOACTIVE A SOLUTIONS Waverly Q. Smith and George W.

Ridge, Tenn.,

struthers, oak

assignors to the United States of America as represented by the United States Atomic Energy Commission Application September 5, 1944, Serial No. 552,810

solutions. In the operation of such processes it is desirable from time to time to Withdraw Various amounts of solution to p-rovide samples used for analytical and control purposes in connection with the operation of said processes. However, even small samples, namely samples comprising a few cubic centimeters or less exhibit vigorous activity. The activity -of these small samples may be such that they must be kept out of contact with the person and preferably maintained at some distance therefrom. In addition, the samples are of sufficient activity that in the handling thereof, it would be undesirable for drops to fall upon floors, laboratory benches, or the like because of the contamination which this would cause.

In view of the active nature of the above solutions, conventional methods and apparatus used in handling ordinary chemical liquids are not satisfactory for handling those solutions. It is therefore apparent that the development of a suitable apparatus and method whereby radioactive solutions may be conveniently handled with a minimum of danger from spillage or other difficulties represents a highly desirable result.

We have discovered a novel apparatus 'and method for the utilization of the apparatus that is particularly suitable for handling solutions exhibiting a high degree of radioactivity wherein the solutions may be handled at a distance from the person and handled with a minimum of danger from breakage and spillage. It is further apparent that since our apparatus may be employed in handling solutions having a very high degree of activity that the apparatus may also be used for handling solutions of lower activity. Also, our apparatus may find use in handling ordinary chemical liquids.

This invention has for one object to provide an apparatus and method for handling radioactive solutions.

Another object is to provide an apparatus that is particularly suitable for handling samples of solutions having a very high degree of radioactivity.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus for handling active solutions of the class described, particularly samples thereof that are used for analytical or other laboratory or control purposes.

Still another object is to provide a pipetteV construction for handling samples of radioactive solutions wherein after the pipette has been lled, there is a minimum of danger of spillage therefrom during the movement and handling of the filled pipette.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for handling active solutions of the class described wherein the solutions may be filled and discharged under protected reduced pressure conditions.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus `for handling radioactive solutions of the type described wherein the portion of the apparatus containing the solution may be handled and moved at a distance from the person.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of the type referred to for handling active solutions which is simple and inexpensive in construction and may be made from readily obtainable materials.

A still further object is to provide novel methods for handling samples of radioactive solutions under protected conditions including filling the sampling device and discharging the sampling device into a receiver.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

We have found that a suitable device for handling radioactive solutions comprises a specially designed pipette together with a holder therefor and a receiver for the solution. A demountable handle construction may be provided for moving certain of the parts of the apparatus and means may be provided for filling and discharging the pipette under protected reduced pressure conditions.

For further .understanding of o-ur invention, reference is made to the attached drawings forming a part of the present application.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the entire construction showing the apparatus generally in an opened condition.

Fig. 2 is a detail View of tion.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view showing in general the apparatusin a Aclosed condition. That is, the .parts which are shown in Fig. l in a removed position are shown in place in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line A-A of Fig. 3 in which certain of the parts have been shown broken away for a better understanding of the interior construction of the apparatus.

Referring to Fig.V 1, 2 represents the overall carrier type container for the sample receiver and other glassware or similar parts. This container 2 may be constructed from Wood, plastic, or other suitable material as will be described. It is provided with a drawer-like member 3 adapted to be inserted in one of the sides of container 2. Provision is made, as for example in the block member 4, for inserting a receiver tube 5. The

the pipette construc- 'with Fig. 4) within the container.

lpressure inlet I Il.

ascisse active sample of solution is ultimately collected in this-.tube receiver. Clamp means of standard construction are provided at E for securely holding tube 5. The clamp E has an outer reduced screw threaded end which passes through the forward wall of the drawer 3 and is drawn up by a wing or thumb nut until the shoulder at the juncture of the reduced portion ltightly engages the inner face of the forward wall. This serves to mount the clamp S on the drawer 3. The opposite end of the clamp is ring shaped and expansible as indicated in Fig. 1. It receives and supports tube or receiver 5 in position.

Referring further to container 2, clamp means 'I are also provided for securely holding the sheath member 8 (to be described in detail in connection The clamp?, indicated in Fig. l, is similar to clamp t, described in detail above, and is mounted in the container 2 through its outer reduced extension 'which passes through an opening in the cross member bridging `the front Vand rear walls of the container.

It is -held in place by the usual wing nut threaded upon the reduced extension. An opening 9 is provided in the container 2 for permitting access to the aforementioned clamp and the reduced A detachable handle'means I I is provided for holding container 2 at a distance whenactive materials are in the apparatus. Also, a similar provision is made with respect to drawer -3, namely screw heads I8 are provided so that the demountable handle may be attached for -mov- .ing and holding drawer 3 lwhen containing a tube of active solution. In this connection, it will be seen in Figs. l, 3 and 4 that handle I I=terminates at its forward extremity Vin a flat vertically extending plate having spaced grooves or recesses formed in its upper edge. These grooves or recesses are adapted to receive the body portions of the screws on the container 2 or the screws I8, I8 of the drawer 3. These screws, when tightened down engage the plate on handle I I through theirheads and lock it to the container 2 or the drawer 3 as the case may be.

Referring to 2. reference numeral I2 denotes a sampling pipette. This pipette is simi- .lar to a standard laboratory type pipette, andis provided .with a tapered tip at I3. However, this pipette is sealed olf at I4 at which point there is attached a long handle member VI5 so that the fp. hand may be keptaway from the liquid in the pipette.

A stopper or comparable closure means is provided at Iwhich is adapted to fit into member8 as will be described under Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 3,- this view shows drawer 3 and the pipette in place. The other Yparts are as has been indicated.

Referring to Fig. 4 which is a sectional -view shown on line A-A of Fig. 3, there is shown the .pipette .I2 inserted into member. The pipette, 4when so inserted, may be discharged by applying reduced pressure at conduit IB (Fig. l). The pipette discharges from tip I3 into sample tube 5. The sheath member 8 merelycomprises an elongated tube, tapered at the lower end so that it may be inserted intosample tube 5 in a .reasonably secure manner. This is desired sothat reduced pressure may be applied without substantial leakage. Also spillage of the solution is avoided during discharge of the pipette. While the use of a .stopper I9 has been indicated, and constitutes a simple and an inexpensive means for securing the sheath into tube 5, other means such as afgroundjointimay `also be used. The sheath, .the tube, and.. the @pipettemay be ,con-

i structed of glass, stainless steel or the various plastics. The preferred `material would be a non-breakable, transparent substance which permits visual observation.

The apparatusof the present invention is particularly suitable for use in connection with re moving a sample from a quantity of solution adapted to be placed under reduced pressure. That is, in sampling solutions from a larger containerr a portion of the solution in the container would be pumped, as by reduced pressure or other means, through an external circuit in order that a homogeneous portion of the liquid be obtained. Otherwise, if a sample were taken from the surface liquid, it might not be representative of the remainder of the liquid in the containerbeing sampled.

Our device, namely the pipette construction shown in Fig. 2, is adapted to be inserted into a reduced pressure atmosphere through a suitable opening into an external circuit as above mentioned, the stopperY I6 closing oit the opening. The reduced pressure evacuates the interior of pipette I 2 after which it is immersed in the liquid to be sampled. Upon restoring the pressure `to atmospheric, with the tip I3 of the pipette immersed in the liquid to be sampled, the liquid flows into the pipette. This permits the filling of pipette I2 until it is `full or until it is pulled out of the liquid. Upon breaking the vacuum, the liquid which has entered pipette i2 is retained therein by atmospheric pressure withont danger of spillage. By means of the long handle i5, it is possible to keep the hand at a saiedistance from the solution contained in the pipette. The pipette vmay be carried to the laboratory or otherwise handled until it is desired to discharge the liquid therefrom.

In order to discharge the pipette the container 2 isassembled, and the parts securely clamped as shown in Fig. 4 so that sample tube 5 is beneath :sheath 8. The. pipette I2 is inserted into the top .of .member 8. Reduced pressure is applied to conduit I@ and this causes the liquid in the pipette to fiow out at tip I3 into the sample tube 5. The

saine type containing a tube similar to tube'5 filled with cleaning solution may be insertedand the apparatus reassembled. By applying `thereduced pressure at i@ and immersing the pipette into the cleaning liquid followed by restoration of atmospheric pressure and then a reversal of the operations, the pipette may be cleaned. That is, it may be observed that the pipette I2 will be lled when the reduced pressure-is broken while the tip'I3 is in the cleaning liquid. The liquid forced into the pipette l2 is heldthere byatmospheric pressure. Consequently, the pipettemay be moved and handled withoutmaterialndanger orY liquid escaping from tip I3. Removal-ofthe liquid from pipette I2 requires the application of reduced pressure at IE with the tip :I3v posttioned abovetube 5. The cleaning fluid isrtherebyV caused to now out of pipette .I2 into receiver tube g5. Alternate filling and discharging, as aforementioned, may be accomplished .until the pipette is @leaned In the present arrangement it will be noted that the discharging and filling, since they are carried out by the application of reduced pressure with the pipette inclosed, eliminates the possibility of spattering or other contamination of the person or materiel. Protection may be obtained by making the container 2 and other of the parts from materials which shield against radioactivity. That is, the container may be lined with lead or other conventional shielding material or plastics having shielding material molded therein may be employed. Similar remarks apply to the construction of the pipette l2, the sheath 8 and similar parts of material exhibiting a shielding eiect such as leaded glass or certain plastics.

Itis to be understood thatall matters contained in the above description and examples are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of this invention, as it is intended to claim the invention as broadly as possible in view of the prior art.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for handling radioactive solutions comprising a container, a pipette receiving sheath disposed within said container, a removable drawer positioned in the container and adapted to mount a receiver in communication with said sheath, and means for supporting said sheath in position in said container.

2. An apparatus for handling radioactive solutions comprising a container, a pipette receiving sheath positioned withinv the container, said sheath comprising an elongated tube having an inlet conduit associated Ytherewith whereby a source of reduced pressuremay be applied to the sheath for altering the contents of a pipette, and a removable drawer positioned in the container in communication with said sheath, said drawer being adapted to hold a receiver for collecting4 the contents of the pipette.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a container, a sheath disposed within the container, and a removable drawer positioned in the container beneath the sheath and adapted to mount a receiver in communication with said sheath.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising a container, a pipette receiving sheath member positioned within the container, said sheath being secured to the container, means for reducing the pressure within the sheath to discharge the pipette, and a drawer providing a receptacle for a removable receiver positioned below and in communication with said sheath for reception of liquids from said pipette.

5. An apparatus for handling radioactive solutions comprising a container, sheath means positioned within the container including an elongated tube having an inlet conduit for communication with a pressure source, said sheath means being adapted to receive the discharge end of a closed pipette, and a removable holder positioned in the container, said holder being adapted to carry a receiver for communication with the sheath to receive liquids discharged from the pipette.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a container, sheath means for the reception of a pipette positioned within the container, a removable drawer member in the container for communication with said sheath and a removable handle member secured to the container for transporting it.

7. An apparatus for handling radioactive solutions comprising a container, a sheath positioned in said container, a pipette adapted to contain radioactive solutions comprising an elongated tube tapered at one end, said tube being closed at the opposite end, a relatively long handled member attached to the closed end of the tube, a stopper encircling the pipette in the vicinity of the junction ofthe tube and handle member, said stopper being adapted to fit into the sheath, a removable drawer positioned in the container and adapted to hold a receiver in communication with said sheath, and means for altering the pressure within the sheath to discharge the pipette into said receiver.

WAVERLY Q. SMITH. GEORGE W. STRUTHERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 744,123 Spietschka Nov. 17, 1903 1,252,347 Homstead Jan. 1, 1918 -1,589,056 Drummond June 15, 1926 1,613,185 Mitchell Jan. 4, 1927 1,863,755 Lodde June 21, 1932 2,006,513 Rascher et al July 2, 1935 2,172,575 Cauleld Sept. 12, 1939 2,192,140 McCreary Feb. 27, 1940 2,198,324 Wiggins Apr. 23, 1940 2,236,063 Losee Mar. 25, 1941 2,237,213 Brown Apr. 1, 1941 2,250,722 Nichols July 29, 1941 2,294,655 Einstein Sept. 1, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 199,384 Germany June 13, 1908 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR HANDLING RADIOACTIVE SOLUTIONS COMPRISING A CONTAINER, A PIPETTE RECEIVING SHEATH DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CONTAINER, A REMOVABLE DRAWER POSITIONED IN THE CONTAINER AND ADAPTED TO MOUNT A RECEIVER IN COMMUNICATION 